Machine Communication Forum: Openness, variety and internationality as factors for success
Sercos International e.V. and the SPS-MAGAZIN from the TeDo publishing firm held the Machine Communication Forum in Würzburg/ Germany on October 20, 2015.
Approximately 130 participants followed the invitation to take part in the forum, including users and providers from the machine & plant engineering sector, as well as equipment & automation manufacturers. The attendees were particularly enthused by the variety of presentation topics, the open, uncensored manner in which other automation solutions were also reported on and the international flair.
In addition to the keynote speech by the Bavarian State Office of Constitutional Protection on the topic of secure networks, Prof. Dr. Jörg Wollert from Aachen University of Applied Sciences highlighted solutions for smart automation networks in the cloud.
The subsequent presentations dealt with the current trends. For instance, OPC UA and possible changes to the traditional communication structures were discussed, as were opportunities and uses for Industrial Ethernet in China. This presentation was held “first-hand” by Jan Zhang, Senior Manager at IHS Technology in China, and thus highlighted the Chinese view of fieldbus systems and Industrial Ethernet in the context of the general economic situation and positioning on the topic of Industry 4.0.
The user presentation on the digitalization of the packaging machine as well as the podium discussion on the question “To the Revolution Together or Everyone for Himself? How Does Industrial Ethernet Work in the Smart Factory?” – which was participated in by representatives of Bosch Rexroth, HMS Industrial Networks, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric Automation, and Softing Industrial Automation – completed the joint program.
The rest of the day was devoted entirely to break-out sessions and networking. In total, 9 presentations were offered, covering a wide variety of topics and trends – with and without reference to Sercos.
“We are pleased that the event, which was organized by us in collaboration with the SPS-MAGAZIN, received such a positive response,” says Ilona Arnold, Marketing Manager at Sercos International. “Not only the mix of topics, but also the openness to discuss other solutions without restrictions, made the Machine Communication Forum an informative and varied event for all participants.”